The Chicago Bears' season ended on a sour note, but the team still had plenty of success worth celebrating.
One of the biggest revelations is Colston Loveland, the rookie tight end, and his progression this season. Loveland was hardly a piece of the offense in the first month, and by the end of his rookie season, he set the record for most playoff receiving yards by a rookie tight end.
Colston Loveland makes history in first playoff run
This is no fluke, either. Loveland finished the season strong and was not only one of the best rookie tight ends in the NFL, but he was also playing like one of the best tight ends in the entire NFL over the last month or two.
A lot of his production came against the Green Bay Packers, but he still added 56 yards in the Divisional Round against the Los Angeles Rams. Still, he got banged up in that game and only caught four of his ten targets. There was some meat left on the bone by the rookie, who still racked up 193 yards over the two-week span.
One thing worth noting is that Loveland surpassed Sam LaPorta to claim the title of best rookie tight end in the playoffs. The obvious common theme is Ben Johnson, who was the offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions when LaPorta when he racked up 176 yards. Now, Johnson is the head coach and is getting even more out of a rookie tight end.
What makes it even more impressive is that Loveland did it over two games; LaPorta needed three.
This may help address the concerns LaPorta raised as a rookie and has not been nearly as good since. While LaPorta was making big plays as a pass catcher, the Lions were scheming him open.
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Loveland is winning on his own, and the Bears are building the offense around him. There seems to be a thought that Loveland will be just fine in Year 2, unlike the last rookie tight end who broke out with Johnson.
All Bears fans are excited to see what is about to come.